Officers at a White House checkpoint responded to gunshots yesterday evening, and a shooting suspect was “down” and taken to a hospital, a US law enforcement official has said.
A person approached the checkpoint at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House and started shooting at officers, according to the official.
The suspect is “down” and was transported to George Washington Hospital, the official said.
He did not specify the suspect’s condition or how he was brought down.
Emergency and police vehicles could be seen near the White House
The official said that a “stay-away order” had been issued to the suspect previously.
Earlier, the US Secret Service said it was investigating the incident and FBI Director Kash Patel said his agency was supporting the probe.
Police and security forces swarmed the area around the White House this evening after shots were fired nearby.
US President Donald Trump was at the White House at the time as he worked to negotiate a deal with Iran.
Police tape blocks off a sidewalk next to emergency and police vehicles near the White House
FBI Director Kash Patel said FBI agents were on scene and supporting Secret Service members in responce to shots fired near the White House grounds.
Mr Patel said he will update the public “as we’re able”.
ABC News reporter Selina Wang, who was filming outside the White House when shots were heard, posted a video of the moment of the incident on X.
She could be seen ducking down as shots rang out and said that her and her team were told to “sprint to the press briefing room”.
I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now. pic.twitter.com/iqdQwh4soq
— Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) May 23, 2026